Despite the recent devastation of a fire, the Kountry Kitchen is determined to continue its cherished Christmas tradition of serving meals to the homeless.

Owner Cynthia Wilson typically serves around 3,000 people each year as part of her Soulful Christmas Dinner.

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The holiday season is filled with festive eats and tasty treats that are hard to avoid. The good news is, according to one Indy-area doctor, there are ways to indulge without hurting your overall health.

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After years of service to the community, an Indianapolis food drive is celebrating 30 years of giving.

Rev. Richard Hunter and Martin University, with other partners in the community, are teaming up to help Hoosiers with the Christmas Help Program. This year is the 30th anniversary of the program.

Rev. Hunter joined Daybreak to share how they’re helping over 700 families.

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A new initiative in Indianapolis is working to address health and socio-economic disparities in five historic neighborhoods near IU Health’s new downtown hospital. The nonprofit Indy Health District Inc., in partnership with IU Health, local leaders, and community organizations, aims to transform these areas into healthier, more equitable communities.

The district includes Meridian Highland, Highland Vicinity, Crown Hill, Ransom Place, and the historic Flanner House Homes. Jamal Smith, the nonprofit’s executive director, explained the selection process: “If the new medical campus was the proverbial pebble dropped in the pond, how far out would those ripples go before something began to push back?” The result is a 1,500-acre footprint, one of the largest innovation districts in the U.S.

The initiative’s scope is broad, addressing housing, education, childcare, workforce development, green spaces, and food access. Smith emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach, citing the stark life expectancy gap between residents of the district and those just eight miles north in Hamilton County. “Data shows residents here are expected to die roughly 20 years earlier, and that’s due more to social and environmental factors than access to healthcare,” he said.

To tackle these disparities, the district is collaborating with IU Health, Citizens Energy, the IU School of Medicine, the Children’s Museum, Ivy Tech, and the neighborhoods themselves. Progress will be tracked with life expectancy as the ultimate measure, supported by data from the IU Fairbanks School of Public Health.

“These issues have been decades, even centuries, in the making,” Smith said. “We’re focused on investing in the people and communities already here, not just bringing in new resources.” By addressing housing affordability, childcare access, and education quality, the district hopes to create lasting, measurable change.

While the effort is ambitious, Smith stressed the importance of transparency and collaboration. “This isn’t an overnight fix, but by working together, we can start to close the gap and build healthier communities.”

For more information, visit indyhealthdistrict.org.

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As the holiday season approaches, 11% of seniors in Central Indiana face food insecurity, a statistic that rises in certain areas. CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions, Central Indiana’s Area Agency on Aging, is working to address this issue through various meal programs aimed at providing food, support, and community to older adults.

CICOA offers several nutrition programs to support seniors and their families. Neighborhood meal sites provide hot lunches and a sense of community through daily activities. For homebound individuals, CICOA delivers meals directly to their doorsteps. Additional programs, such as Produce for Better Health, ensure monthly deliveries of fresh fruits and vegetables, while the Pet Connect program provides food and supplies for seniors’ pets.

The Pet Connect initiative was created after the organization discovered that many seniors were sharing their meals with pets, often their only companions.

Proper nutrition is critical for seniors, as it helps prevent chronic conditions, supports cognitive health, and improves overall well-being. However, some seniors may skip meals, either due to financial constraints or a diminished appetite, which can further impact their health.

The organization welcomes donations and volunteers to help expand its reach. Contributions can be made directly through CICOA’s website, and volunteers are needed to assist with meal deliveries and other services.

For more information about CICOA’s programs or to get involved, visit CICOA.org or call 317-803-6131.

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The holiday season can bring added stress, but the foods you choose may help create a calmer, more enjoyable experience. Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, and author, suggests simple dietary changes to reduce anxiety and promote well-being during Thanksgiving and beyond.

Dr. Naidoo emphasized that eating to reduce stress doesn’t have to be restrictive. “You can still enjoy the foods you love by making thoughtful additions,” she said. For those feeling unsure where to begin, her book, “Calm Your Mind with Food,” provides a comprehensive guide to these principles.

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For over 50 years, the Mozel Sanders Foundation has been a lifeline for those facing food insecurity across central Indiana, keeping thousands from going hungry. As Thanksgiving approaches, the foundation is gearing up to serve more people than ever, with a goal to provide 10,000 hot meals to families in need this holiday season.

The foundation secured a network of commercial kitchens to help prepare meals across the city. Volunteers are already in place, but Sanders says the organization needs experienced chefs to help lead the effort.

This year, the foundation is adding more locations to reach even more people. Friendship Missionary Baptist Church will serve as the primary hub, with self-prep kitchens set up at New Directions Church, Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Roberts Park United Methodist Church, and a new location at The Hangar.

Each of these self-prep sites will play a critical role in getting meals ready to go.

To get involved, volunteers can sign up on the foundation’s website. Sanders highlighted that the website lists all volunteer opportunities, as well as the locations of the 12 satellite kitchens around the city.

With demand higher than ever, the foundation aims to serve 10,000 meals—a record for the organization. While this scale of effort brings challenges, the foundation’s expanded network of kitchens and satellite locations makes the goal achievable.

For those who want to help but can’t volunteer, Sanders says financial support is just as crucial.

Just $5 feeds one person or a family of four for $20.

Donations can be made via text by sending “MOZEL” to 53555, or checks can be mailed to Mozel Sanders Foundation, which is located at 709 N. Belmont Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana, 46222. For a quicker option, donations are also accepted through Cash App at $MozSanders.

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A garden has become a lifeline for central Indiana families in need. What began as a modest, corporate initiative has blossomed into a remarkable collective effort.

In 2023, Roche’s Garden produced an impressive 300 pounds of fresh, organic produce. This year, the garden’s operators hope to double that number.

Roche’s Garden is known as one of the oldest gardens in Indianapolis. It’s evolved to playing a critical role to provide nutritious food, and preventing disease while food insecurity is high.

The bounty of vegetables is not destined for corporate cafeterias, but rather the shelves of a local food bank, The Resource Hub, where it goes to families in need. It’s an initiative aligning with the American Heart Association’s Food is Medicine initiative.

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